A North Bergen man was convicted of a fatal 2019 armed robbery in Fairview after a four-week trial in Bergen County Superior Court.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
David Martinez, of North Bergen, has been convicted for his involvement in a 2019 armed robbery in Fairview that led to the death of David Duque Soto, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced.
The conviction came following a four-week jury trial presided over by Bergen County Superior Court Judge Margaret M. Foti.
On March 13th, the jury convicted Martinez of several charges, including conspiracy to commit armed robbery, armed robbery, felony murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
However, he was acquitted on two other weapons-related charges.
During the trial, the State presented evidence from 16 witnesses, including three expert witnesses.
The prosecution argued that Martinez had been a co-conspirator and accomplice in the planned armed robbery of David Duque Soto at his residence in Fairview. During the course of the robbery, Duqie Soto was fatally shot.
Assistant Prosecutors Suzanne Cevasco and Matthew Fitzpatrick from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit represented the State, with assistance from Legal Assistant Catherine Fantuzzi, Esq. and Det. Jakub Glebocki.
The defense consisted of Frank V. Carbonetti, Esq. and Daniel Donohue, Esq. from the Lucianna & Lucianna Law Firm.
Musella acknowledged the work of Assistant Prosecutors Cevasco and Fitzpatrick, as well as the investigators from the Major Crimes Unit, Fairview Police Department, and Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, who contributed to the case.
Martinez is scheduled for sentencing before Foti on April 21st and faces a minimum of 30 years to life in New Jersey State Prison.
